Pigeon-hole case



(No Model.)

' D. 0. MEEHAN.

PIGEON HOLE CASE.

1 00 h 0% e F, M. d w m a I P U m I one shutter raised.

the usual and well-known manner.

tirely withdrawn from the shutter.

NITED 'IATES DAV ID O."1VIEEHAN, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO.

PlGEON-HOLE CASE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 357,403, dated February 8, 1887.

Application tiled October 19, 188d. Serial No. 216,620. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, DAVID C. MEEHAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Columbus, in the State of Ohio, have invented a new 5 and useful Improvement in Pigeon-Hole Cases, of which the following is a clear, full, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making apart of this specification, in which- Figure l is a front view of a case ofpigeonholes with my improvements attached. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the same with the shutters closed and locked. Fig. 3 is a vertical section showing the sh utters unlocked and Fig. 4 shows detached views of sliding knob for supporting the raised shutter. Fig. 5 is a detached view of the looking device. Fig. 6 is a detail showing a modification of the knob and pin.

My present invention relates to means for locking the shutters of a case of pigeonholes when closed and for holding up the shutters when raised; and it consists in the devices hereinafter described and claimed.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will proceed to describe the exact manner in which I have carried it out.

It has been usual in pigeon-hole safes or cases to attach a button or lug on the ceiling of each compartment to be turned out to catch and hold the shutter of that compartment when raised." To operate this button necessitated the use of both hands--one to raise the shutter and the other to turn the button. This button, when turned in position to catch and holdup the shutter, was directly in the way in drawing a package of papers from the pigeon-hole and in placing a package 'in the case. To overcome these objections is one purpose of my present invention.

In the drawings, A represents a case of pigeon-holes, B the horizontal divisions, and O the shutters, which slide up and down in Through the lower edge of each shutter I pass a sliding pin, D, provided with a suitable head, d, and with an enlargement, d, on the inner end to prevent the possibility of the pin being en- This pin slides snugly through a perforation in the lower part of the shutter, as shown in Figs. 2

d will permit the withdrawal, raise the shutter clear of the pigeon-hole, and again push in the pin, as shown in Fig. 3, whereby the shutter is securely held in its raised position. The whole operation is done with one hand, leaving the other hand to handlethe package free from any obstruction in the pigeonhole.

It is evident a quick screw could be used instead of the sliding pin without departing from the spirit of my invention.

When the shutters are all closed down and it is desired to lock them in position, it is only necessary to move the lever E, by which-the transverse bar F is partially rotated, and the pawls G are brought against the upper line of shutters, safely securing them in that position until the action of the lever E is reversed and the pawls removed from the shutters. The

lever E may be locked or otherwise secured in position.

The grooves a, in which the shutters move, are extended upward into the hollow cornice of the case, as shown in Fig. 3, the space between the back and front of said cornice being just large enough to receive and permit the passage of said shutter. By this construction the upper shutter, when raised, is inclosed.

Having described my invention what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s

1. In a pigeon-hole case, a sliding pin in combination with the shutter, substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.

2. An improved pigeon-hole case, having grooved sides and a hollow cornice, in combination with the sliding shutters, the upper one of which when raised being concealed within said cornice, the sliding pins for operating the shutters, and a transverse bar and pawls for holding the shutters in a closed and locked position, substantially as herein described.

DAVID C. MEEHAN.

\Vitnesses:

J. M. LOWE, J H. BAYES. 

